Being a resident dj at a club is fun, pays the rent, and keeps me happy, however, there is pressure. Pressure in numbers (will be break over 300 heads in the venue?), pressure in playing new music every week, pressure in having the latest hits. In a dream world, i can cater to myself and not even play the hits but obscure joints that im feeling and loving.  

 Friday nights, my mission is to please the crowd! Saturday nights are soul music and music from diverse regions from around the world.  So i decided to do something Ive never done.  I decided to try something that was out of the norm on a Friday Night @ Little Temple. I did an hour set of Dirty South music.  I may be considered a "hater", a non opened minded person, whatever! Keep the names coming. But I stick to my values as a dj. And I do feel hypocritical to a degree. I constantly play music that degrades woman. But ill follow the track with a joint from Lauryn Hill or some classic Queen Latifah. Balance is important. 

So why do i refuse to play music from the Dirty South? Let me break something down. I think personally, that the south is creating some wonderful and progressive music! I think the South is a vital part of hip hop and appreciate it! I think its a wonderful thing that some of these beat makers and emcee's are making money and providing their families with food on the table.  My only beef is that i see modern day coon-type figures who are being exploited and reinforcing negative stereotypes. Go back to the early 1900's when African American actor "Step N Fetch" danced around and i think you might similarities to "Party like a Rock Star".  I refuse to play "Lean Like A Cholo". I must admit I am glad that Kilo, the artist, is making moves for his career and has a way to express his voice. I am all for that, however, as a product of the cholo culture, as a son of a respected veterana from various street gangs, I think its a bit weird when I see 12 year olds reciting those lyrics.  Depending on your view, the "cholo" is either a respectable figure in the neighborhood or to some, a negative influence.  So.. I acknowledge my prejudices in avoiding ignorant tracks.  But.. Friday night was a different story. 

I enjoyed the dirty south set. I enjoyed the energy. I enjoyed watching people bounce, get freaky to various cuts.  Sure, its no De La, Stevie Wonder, or Fania All-Stars, but its creating a reaction from the people who pay the 5 buck cover. Sometimes I need to check myself, but shout outs to djs, music lovers, fans, humans, lovers, ex's, wierdo's who think outside the box.  Someone once accused me of not being a  "trend follower".. He was very much on point. I wish to keep the word "follower" far from my name.

 Cheers

Ant.Valadez

Blog 7.19.07
Random Thoughts

Hey party people..This blog is simply my mind roaming off random nothings.

I’m sitting inside a tai food spot on Wilshire listening to some really good Daedelus music. If your not hip to this dude, then check him out. Perfect music to drive home after being dumped by some chick you met off of myspace and got denied. Anyways, as I sit I think about how time has this really weird way of separating us from our good friends.  A lot of my friends are now married or having kids, and that makes me feel a bit distant from them.  I realize I do not have much in common with new mothers who care more about breast feeding than Back to the Future playing at the Sunset 5 Theatre.  Ialso ponder on the thought of how im surrounded lately by artsy fartsys who champion minimalism beats/sound/art that can easily be created by 3 year old kids. Now don’t get me wrong, I can dig some simple loops and splash of paint onto a canvas, but wow.. Lately I’ve been also taking the long routes home after djing at the clubs.  I enjoy seeing the beauty of Friday night giving birth to Saturday morning, junkies roaming the streets like “Night of the Living Dead”, Trannies roaming the block looking for a sugar daddy, kids with spray cans tagging up crews/names/etc.  I  enjoy it.   Its life after the 9-5’ers hit the rack. Why is the guy starring at me from the table next to mine?  

How come we dont see any amputee Barbie dolls? 

Thanks

Ant.Valadez

TONIGHT

THE BOOTY SUPREME GALORE

@ LITTLE TEMPLE

DJS SLOEPOKE (ROOTODOWN)

ANT.VALADEZ (MY MAMA'S CUCHI FRITO IS BETTER THAN YOURS)

HEATERS!! ANTHEMS!! CLASSICS!!!  THROWDOWNS!! THROW BACKS!!

GUEST LIST LOVE - antvala@sbcglobal.net 

wouldnt it be great if airlines issued you a paracheute as you enter the plane?